What is TMJ?

So, have you ever experienced any discomfort or pain around your jaw? You know, that joint that connects your jaw to your skull? Well, that might be a condition called Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD for short, more commonly known as TMJ.

TMD can be a bit bothersome and show up in various ways. For instance, do you notice any clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth? Or perhaps you're experiencing headaches or facial pain that's hard to pinpoint. These could all be signs of TMD.

Now, don't worry; you're not alone in this. TMD can happen for a few reasons, like jaw injuries, teeth grinding (ever catch yourself doing that in your sleep?), stress, or even misaligned teeth.

But the good news is that there are ways to manage and treat TMD! First things first, it's essential to get a proper diagnosis. So, it's a good idea to see a dentist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who can take a closer look and figure out what's going on.

Depending on your situation, the treatment might involve a mix of things. Simple self-care measures like eating soft foods, applying warm compresses, and avoiding extreme jaw movements can make a difference. Physical therapy and pain medications might also help.

Now, if you're worried about surgery, don't fret! In most cases, surgery is a last resort and is only considered for severe TMD cases.

The key here is to reach out to a healthcare professional who can tailor a treatment plan just for you. They'll help you understand what's causing the issue and guide you through the steps to find relief.

Remember, TMD is treatable, and there's light at the end of the tunnel. So don't hesitate to seek help if you think you might be dealing with this jaw-jangling condition!

TMJ disorder: what are the causes?

Trauma to the jaw joint or surrounding tissues may result in a TMJ disorder, however not all TMJ disorders are the result of trauma. The following are some common TMD causes:

Grinding or clenching of the teeth, or bruxism
Dislocation of the articular disc
Arthritis
Stress
Severe injury
Improper bite

What are typical TMJ symptoms?

TMJ disorders are more common in women than in men between the ages of 20 and 40. The following are some of the most typical TMJ symptoms:

Jaw pain
Headaches
Earaches
Neck or shoulder discomfort
Opening your mouth wide is difficult
Jaw "locks" when the mouth is open or closed
When you open or close your mouth, you may hear a clicking, cracking, or grinding sound in the jaw joint
Chewing difficulties
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
Alterations to the way your teeth fit together

Swelling on the side of your face
Toothache
Discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles (most common symptom)
Face or neck pain that spreads
Jaw clenching
Opening your mouth is limited
Nausea or vertigo, or ringing in the ears
Painful clicking, popping, or grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
A change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together

It's crucial to understand that noises coming from the TMJs (such as clicking or popping) without accompanying pain or dysfunction is incredibly common and even considered by some to be normal, and in some cases these noises never lead to any complications. However, just like any other joint in your body, if you had a constant pop of joint noise, this is not considered normal and could lead to future problems, and the best practice is to have it looked at by a trained professional.

Diagnosis

TMDs are unique and cannot usually be self diagnosed and self identification of these conditions might be challenging due to the lack of apparent causes and symptoms.

Both your symptoms and a thorough medical history will be recorded by Dr. Alan Erickson. We will inquire about your pain's locations, frequency, causes, how it improves or worsens, and whether it only affects that section of your body or spreads to other areas. If you experience any other types of pain, such as headaches or backaches please book an appointment to come see us right away.

Additionally, your head, neck, face, and jaw will be checked for any signs of pain, jaw clicking or popping, or trouble moving. Additionally, Dr. Alan Erickson might advise imaging tests like an x-ray, an MRI, or a computed tomography (CT).

TMDs may or may not be the cause of pain in the mouth, jaw, or face. Before identifying a TMD, we will need to rule out other dental issues or other diseases.

How to treat temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) at home

You can try a few easy things to ease your jaw ache

Eat soft foods like pasta, omelets, and soup
Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Massage the sore jaw muscles
Alternate hot/cold on the jaw
Avoid chewing gum
Avoid using your front teeth to bite into food

Avoid yawning too much
Avoid biting your nails
Avoid clenching your teeth; they should always be separated except when eating
Keep your chin off of your hands to avoid pressure on the jaw

Professional Treatment Options

Physical therapy

Movement and physical function are the core targets of physical therapy in order to maintain, enhance, or restore joints. Physical therapy is available in a variety of forms. A therapist can extend the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joint using manual therapy, which involves using the hands to do so. Pain relief and function improvement have both been linked to manual therapy.

Medications

To treat your symptom, Dr. Alan Erickson, may suggest one or more medications. However, medications for TMJ issues are only used to lessen pain temporarily, and are not a long term solution. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), which are over-the-counter painkillers, are the most common medications we recommend.

Oral Appliances

Devices called oral appliances cover the teeth and repositions the jaw to take pressure off the tmj and allow healing to occur. Similarly to crutches when a knee or ankle are hurt. They don't permanently alter the bite or teeth. These are often confused with nightguards, occlusal splints, interocclusal splints, or bruxism splints, however the key distinction is that the oral appliances we use are purposely bringing the jaw into a better position for the TMJ, not simply protecting the teeth.

Medical and Surgical Options

These procedures involve inserting something into your temporomandibular joints or chewing muscles, altering your teeth and bite, or all of the above. However, some of them, such as occlusal therapies, are ineffective and may even exacerbate the condition. We hardly ever recommend surgical options and see this as a last resort, preferring our conservative therapies.

Your quality of life may be hampered by severe jaw pain. Speak with Dr. Alan Erickson at Sleep Advantage located in Arlington if you have TMJ difficulties and struggle with jaw pain, teeth grinding, or any of the other symptoms listed in this article. You'll be able to resume living pain-free sooner if you address the issue as soon as possible.

You’ll find our office conveniently located in Arlington, in the Cumulus Park building in Smokey Point.

Your time is valuable and we consider it our privilege to serve you in a professional, expeditious manner. You will always be seen promptly and you’ll never have to wait an unreasonable amount of time to see the doctor.

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(360) 322-6934

Sleep Advantage | 16410 Smokey Point Blvd, #107 Arlington WA 98223